On the eve of World War I, international exhibitions embodied a confident belief in progress, cooperation and cultural exchange. In this climate of late prewar optimism, host cities used Expos to project modern capability while anchoring innovation in historical identity.

Ghent entered this moment in 1913. Officially titled Exposition Universelle et Internationale de Gand, Expo 1913 Ghent was held from April 26 to November 3, 1913. It was the latest in a prolific series of international expositions hosted in Belgium, following major events in Antwerp (1885, 1894), Brussels (1897, 1910) and Liège (1905). The event positioned Ghent as both a modern industrial center and a city deeply conscious of its medieval legacy.

The initiative emerged in the early 20th century as local and national authorities sought to promote Ghent’s commercial strength and cultural stature. Officially sanctioned by the Belgian government and supported by international partners, the exposition was conceived as a comprehensive survey of industry, science, agriculture and the arts.

The exhibition grounds covered approximately 130 hectares, centered on the Citadelpark and adjacent areas. This expansive site allowed for a clear thematic organization while integrating gardens, water features, and circulation routes into a cohesive urban composition. The location also tied the exposition to ongoing modernization efforts, including the construction of the new Sint-Pieters railway station, which served as a gateway for visitors.

Architecture balanced modern exhibition practice with historical evocation. Major structures included the Grand Palais and the Palais des Beaux-Arts. While most buildings were temporary, the Floraliënhal (Palace of Floralis), a massive steel and glass structure built for the flower shows, was designed as a permanent monument and remains a landmark in Citadelpark today.

A distinct feature of the fair was "Oud Vlaenderen" (Old Flanders), a reconstructed medieval quarter designed to evoke Ghent’s past through replicas of historic buildings, streets and façades. This area offered visitors an immersive contrast between contemporary industrial progress and historical memory.

International participation was broad, with more than 25 countries represented, including major European nations, the United States and colonial territories. As in other Belgian exhibitions of the period, a colonial section highlighted the Belgian Congo, reflecting prevailing imperial perspectives that have since been critically reassessed.

Public engagement was strong. Estimates of attendance range between 9 million and 13 million visits over the exposition’s six-month duration. Entertainment zones, gardens and social spaces complemented the exhibition halls, reinforcing the fair’s dual role as a site of instruction and leisure.

Expo 1913 Ghent generated lasting effects on the city’s urban and cultural life. The layout of the Citadelpark was permanently altered, and the Floraliënhal continued to serve as a venue for the famous Ghent Floralies. The event stimulated tourism and reinforced Ghent’s position within Belgium’s network of modern cities.

Yet the exposition’s legacy is inseparable from its historical moment. Often remembered as a "swan song" of prewar optimism, Expo 1913 Ghent was quickly overshadowed by the outbreak of World War I in 1914.

In this way, Expo 1913 Ghent stands as a closing chapter of the prewar Expo tradition. It encapsulated the confidence, contradictions and aspirations of early 20th-century exhibition culture, marking the end of an era just before global conflict reshaped the meaning and possibilities of international exhibitions.